And the club is playing its part by offering a £30 ticket bundle for all three home matches.

Cov chairman Peter Rossborough said: “A huge crowd is vital and big support can be worth a ten-point start for us. And with two of the away matches being local, we’re hoping for a huge following. The six matches will each be a big test and we need to get big crowds behind us to support the team. They are up for it, we now want to ensure the city is.

“When we have faced critical tests in the past – the game against Newcastle at Coundon Road springs to mind – the City of Coventry has come up with the support. We now want to build up the same atmosphere at Butts Park.”

The first match is this weekend away to Rotherham with the opening home match against Birmingham and Solihull on Saturday, March 27 (3pm).

On April 3, Cov entertain Moseley, with the return fixture the following weekend. The away match with Bees is on April 17 and the final play-off fixture is at home to Rotherham on May 1.

Darren Parkin, the Telegraph’s editor, said: “We realise how important it is for the city to make sure that Coventry retain their status in the second tier of English rugby.

“It’s vital for the whole city and we call on the people of Coventry to get behind Cov and give them the best chance of survival.”

Fans have until 5pm on Wednesday, March 24, to purchase their £30 ticket bundle. Supporters entitled to concessions can save another £5 and children under the age of 16 get in free when accompanied by an adult.

Rossborough added: “Players will be visiting schools throughout Coventry in the coming weeks to gather the support of local children.

“The board is working hard to secure the future of Cov, not only on the field but financially. We have had a fantastic response for our offer to shareholders.

“Followers are becoming confident in our efforts to restore proper corporate governance to the club and ensure that it never again falls into single ownership.

“Any money raised now, whether through investment or support at the gate, will go the club. None of the shareholders are in it for financial gain – they just want to make Cov great again.”

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